Asia Cup 2023: "You Want To Be A Hero, There Can Be No Better Platform" - Shoaib Akhtar On India-Pakistan Games

Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has expressed that India-Pakistan cricket matches offer cricketers the chance to emerge as heroes for their nations. Shoaib Akhtar emphasized that India-Pakistan matches may not be suitable for those lacking courage or the faint-hearted.

The neighbouring nations are poised to compete in the Asia Cup. India is slated to face arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening match in Pallekele on Saturday, September 2. There is a possibility of the two countries meeting again in the continental tournament two more times.

There Can Be No Better Platform – Shoaib Akhtar

In an interaction with Boria Majumdar on RevSportz, Shoaib Akhtar recounted how dismissing Sachin Tendulkar in 1999 at Eden Gardens changed his career.

“It is not for the faint-hearted. If you are brave enough, it is your platform. If you are a coward, or insecure, this match is not for you. You want to be a hero, there can be no better platform.

In my own case, I will take you back to the Eden Gardens. When I bowled Sachin Tendulkar first ball in 1999, it was a moment that changed my career. It was Sachin Tendulkar, the greatest batter of all time.”

When India was batting at 147-2, Shoaib Akhtar dismissed Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar on consecutive deliveries. The right-arm pacer bowled the two batters with his full and inswing deliveries. India was bowled out for 223 runs in the first innings and lost the match.

Sachin Was The Best I Have Seen – Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar described Sachin Tendulkar as the best batter he has seen, highlighting his dominance against the high-quality pace bowling attack of his generation.

“Sachin was the best I have seen. The way he batted against Wasim, Waqar, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, and then me, not to forget the South African pace battery, there is no debate that he was an extraordinary talent and the best I have seen.

At Centurion, in the World Cup (2003), the way he batted against us and the kind of pressure he put on us was what won India the game. While it was Sachin who set it up, it was Yuvraj, who doesn’t get enough credit, who closed it for India. Yuvraj is one of the greatest middle-order batters ever,” he added.

Sachin scored 98 runs off 75 balls against Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup group-stage match. He got out when the team needed 97 runs, but Rahul Dravid (44) and Yuvraj Singh (50) finished the game for India.

Also read: SL vs PAK: “PakBall” – Shoaib Akhtar Coins New Term For Pakistan’s Batting Approach In Tests